Tradition's Finest Podcast

Welcome Back to the Tradition’s Finest Podcast!
Episode 156 - The "Ball Four" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:
- NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Basketball: Alabama State has named former NBA star and Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins as the new GM of its men's basketball program, the school announced Tuesday - - He joins a growing list of former players to attach themselves to college programs across the NCAA - - According to a release by the school, Wilkins will help with "strategic initiatives in fundraising, donor engagement, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) partnerships, revenue sharing, roster planning, and student-athlete development," - - Wilkins played collegiately at the University of Georgia before entering the 1982 NBA Draft, where he became the No.3 overall pick: He went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Atlanta Hawks and became an iconic basketball figure thanks to his electric package of dunks - - Since his playing days, he has worked in the Atlanta Hawks front office and part of the broadcast team where he remains the color commentator - - The Hornets, who are fresh off a "First Four" victory in last year's NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament, are entering Year One under HC Chris Wright, who arrives after coaching NAIA program Langston, another HBCU, whereas former HC Tony Madlock left to take an assistant role at Memphis during the offseason - - The 2025-26 season ended with a 10-22 record and 7-11 in SWAC play, whereas the 2024-25 season helped provide the program with great publicity as they picked up the first NCAA Tournament win in program history over fellow No.16 seed Saint Francis before falling against No.1 Auburn - - Before the season tips off, Alabama State ranks second in the preseason KenPom rankings, only behind Bethune-Cookman - as the SWAC Conference ranks 29th out of 32 conferences using the same metrics. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Dominique Wilkins being hired as the Alabama State Men's Basketball GM?. . .NCAA College Football: Week 8 Review & Analysis: In this week's opening segment, JD & Spencer discuss, review and provide direct insight into as well as a detailed analysis for a few of the most notable college football matchups from the Week Eight slate of games, including those listed below:

No.6. Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Wolverines

No.8 Texas Tech Red Raiders at Cincinnati Bearcats

No.18 LSU Tigers at Auburn Tigers

"The Battle for the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy:" No.15 Iowa Hawkeyes at Minnesota Golden Gophers

No.13 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Texas A&M Aggies

No.11 Tennessee Volunteers at South Carolina Gamecocks

No.2 BYU Cougars at UCF Knights

No.7 Ole Miss Rebels at No.19 Texas Longhorns
**Be Sure to Tune In for a More In-Depth Review. . .
- NCAA College Football (cont'd): After two straight losses, Baylor fired head football coach Dave Aranda after seven (7) seasons on Sunday: The move comes just a day after the Bears lost to Kansas, giving the Jayhawks their first Big 12 win of the season and ending a 14-game losing streak against Baylor that dated back to 2007 - - In 2021, Aranda led the Bears to a Big 12 championship, their third in nine (9) seasons, and the program's first Sugar Bowl victory since 1957 — Baylor finished No.5 nationally that fall - as Aranda, a national-championship-winning DC at LSU, and somewhat of an accidental HC, suddenly found himself near the top of the sport — But Baylor never recaptured its 2021 form under Aranda: The Bears went 6-7 in 2022 and 3-9 the following year: Aranda stabilized things with an 8-5 mark in 2024 but entered last season under pressure and might have been let go if AD Mack Rhoades didn't step down in late November - - Needing to deliver a strong encore in 2026, Aranda had Baylor at 4-1 after a 55-19 thrashing of Arizona State on the road - but then the Bears returned home and let down an electric crowd in a 17-6 loss to TCU - - A day after the program's second straight defeat, a last-second loss at Kansas, Baylor fired Aranda — Aranda finished his tenure with a 40-40 record and 26-32 mark in Big 12 play, struggling to get the Bears back to contention in the NIL era - - OC Joe Klanderman will serve as the Bears' interim HC for the remainder of the 2026-27 season: AD Doug McNamee, who took over his role in December 2025, embarks upon his first major coaching search - as McNamee is a Baylor alum but spent most of his career outside of athletics, so he should be open to different types of candidates - - Baylor's investment in football wavered at times during Aranda's tenure and will be an interesting storyline to follow with its next HC: The school has some well-heeled donors and has won or competed for conference championships with each of its past three (3) permanent coaches - as a location between the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Austin gives Baylor more than enough access to the plethora of high school talent across the Texas landscape - - Worth noting: Baylor could have some candidate crossover with rival TCU if the school chooses to cut ties with HC Sonny Dykes: JD & Spencer discuss and a few of the more notable and/or realistic coaching candidates (i.e., UTSA HC Jeff Traylor, USC HC Lincoln Riley, New Mexico HC Jason Eck, etc.) to replace Dave Aranda at Baylor, as well as the retention situation for the roster and recruiting. . .Q: Who should Baylor pursue for their vacant head coach position? Which candidate should they hire? . . .NC State has parted ways with head football coach Dave Doeren after a 3-4 start to the 2026-27 college football season, the school announced Saturday - - The move comes after a 31-28 loss at Stanford on Friday, the latest disappointment in a season NC State believed would be one in which it would compete for an ACC championship - - Doeren, who had three (3) years remaining on his deal, will be owed approximately $10.3 million - - **NOTE: Doeren was the fourth-longest-tenured HC in the FBS, taking over the Wolfpack in 2013 and going on to become the school's winningest coach, posting a 95-70 record - but for all Doeren's success at the program, NC State was never able to progress from a consistently good program to one that had a legitimate chance to win at the highest level: Doeren never won more than nine (9) games in a season, and the Wolfpack never advanced to an ACC Championship Game - - NC State was expected to be a legitimate contender in the ACC this year after a heavy investment in retaining star QB CJ Bailey — Instead, the team was blown out in its season opener against Virginia, lost in gut-wrenching fashion after Bailey fumbled in the end zone on the final play vs. Vanderbilt, and endured a flurry of injuries that have left the Wolfpack below .500 - - RBs coach Todd Goebbel will take over as interim coach for the remainder of the season, and NC State will begin a nationwide search for Doeren's replacement, the school said - - QB CJ Bailey's ill-fated decision to move forward and take on contact, resulting in a fumble that Vanderbilt recovered for the go-ahead TD with one second left, sent NC State's season into a spiral from which it could not recover: Even though Bailey clearly erred, moments such as those generally fall on the HC — The Wolfpack split their next four (4) games, and after a road loss at Stanford on Friday night, the school fired Doeren, its' HC for the past 14 seasons: He finished his tenure 98-73 at the school - the winningest HC in team history - but 52-57 in ACC (or conference) play: Doeren's tenure in Raleigh was undeniably steady and mostly good, even though he never won an elusive 10th game or got NC State to the ACC Championship Game - - After going 3-9 in his debut season, he had the Wolfpack bowl-eligible in 11 of the next 12 years: **NOTE: Doeren had four (4) nine-win seasons and four (4) eight-win campaigns, including 2025, and had three (3) AP Top 25 finishes - - Ultimately, he couldn't lead NC State to its first ACC title since 1979 and possibly hung around a few years too long, but Doeren's tenure was a success overall and should be remembered as such: The BIG Q: Where does NC State go from here?: NC State is a football place, more so than its surrounding ACC brethren - as Wolfpack fans fill seats and support the program, as they desperately want to see NC State contending, and the Wolfpack are way overdue for a breakthrough - - Coaching changes provide opportunities to increase investment in programs: Doeren recruited well throughout his tenure, but NC State also has seen really good players depart, including RB Hollywood Smothers [Texas], OT JaCarrius Peak [South Carolina], and WRs Noah Rogers [Alabama] and Terrell Anderson [USC] from the 2025 roster — NC State must hire someone with the coaching chops and excitement to attract and retain talent - and though local ties might be preferred after Doeren, who had not coached in the Carolina before - NC State can also cast a fairly wide net: JD & Spencer discuss and a few of the more notable and/or realistic coaching candidates (i.e., Philip Rivers, Cincinnati HC Scott Satterfield, Memphis HC Charles Huff, etc.) to replace Dave Doeren at NC State. . ."Duck Down?:" After a third loss this season and a third straight game when the Ducks scored 17 points or fewer, Oregon fired OC Drew Mehringer, the team announced Saturday: Mehringer joined Oregon's staff as a TEs coach in 2022 and was promoted to OC ahead of this season in the wake of Will Stein's departure to Kentucky - - While HC Dan Lanning appeared to prioritize continuity with the hire, Mehringer never quite got the offense to work as well as his predecessor: **NOTE: The Ducks' offense went from a top-20 rushing unit and a top-10 scoring unit to No.88 in rushing and No.40 in scoring under Mehringer - - Oregon, which entered the 2026-27 college football season ranked No.2 in the country and with clear championship aspirations, lost starting QB Dante Moore to a concussion against USC in Week 4 - whom of which on Tuesday, has officially been ruled out for the remainder of the season — With Moore still out, they had and will continue to rely on a combination of backup Dylan Raiola and third-string QB Brock Thomas - but the back-and-forth between both players nearly cost them a win against Nebraska last week - - **NOTE: Since Oregon's win over USC, the Ducks have turned over the ball 10 times in a three-game span. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Oregon HC Dan Lanning's decision to fire first-year OC Drew Mehringer following their 21-10 loss to Illinois on Saturday? While merely speculation, who do you expect to take over the offensive playcalling for Oregon?. . .
NCAA College Football Week 9 Preview: Picks & Predictions: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer each provide their individual/independent predictions for each of the marquee college football matchups from the Week Nine slate of games: 

No.22 Arizona at No.13 Texas Tech (-3)                 O/U54.5

No.25 Wisconsin at Iowa (-3.5)                        O/U57.5

No.12 Ole Miss (-13.5) vs. Auburn                    O/U57.5

"The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party:" No.3 Georgia (-11.5) vs. No.17 Florida       O/U56.5

"The Chip Kelly Classic:" No.20 Northwestern at Oregon (-3.5)           O/U48.5

No.6 Utah (-6.5) at Cincinnati                       O/U57.5

No.2 Ohio State (-7) at USC                         O/U51.5

- NBA - - The Charlotte Hornets are retiring the No.1 jersey of a Tradition's Finest former "Episode Athlete," Mugsy Bogues, the shortest player in NBA history, on Feb. 11 - - The 5-foot-3 Bogues spent 10 of his 14 NBA season in Charlotte (1988-1998) and is the franchise leader in assists, steals & minutes - - Bogues, 61, has spent more than 20 years with the Hornets as a player and ambassador after initially joining the franchise in the 1988 expansion draft - - Hornets owner Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin made the decision to retire Bogues' No.1 to continue the organization's connectivity with its history and legends -- **NOTE: Bogues joins Bobby Phills (No.13) and Dell Curry (No.30) as the only three (3) players to have their jerseys retired for the Hornets. . ."So Long, Friend:"  Sports Broadcasting Hall of Famer Ernie Johnson will retire as host of "Inside the NBA" after the season, saying in a social media video Wednesday that it was his decision to step away and that "it's just time," - - Johnson, 70, said he would continue to work, including coverage of the NCAA men's basketball tournament for CBS and Turner Sports - - Johnson has worked for Turner Sports since 1989 and began hosting "Inside the NBA" a year later: The show - led by quartet of Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal - has won more than 20 Sports Emmy Awards over the decades - - Johnson acknowledged that he has dealt with heart issues in recent years - - Along with Johnson's announcement, Charles Barkley has previously said that this will also be his final season on "Inside the NBA," though the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer has changed his mind and returned to the desk in previous years. . .Q: Will Turner Sports replace Ernie Johnson on "Inside the NBA" or will they attempt to continue with Shaq, Kenny & Sir Barkley?. . .

- NFL - - . . . NFL Regular Season Week 7 Recap: In this next segment, JD & Spencer discuss & review a few of the most notable NFL Week 7 matchups from this past weekend, including the following games:

San Francisco 49ers (5-1) at Atlanta Falcons (3-3)

Indianapolis Colts (2-4) at Minnesota Vikings (5-0)

Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) at Seattle Seahawks (3-3)

- NFL (cont'd) - - The San Francisco 49ers acquired three-time Pro Bowl DT DeForest Buckner from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick on Tuesday - - **NOTE: It was the second major deal the Colts made with an NFC West team on Tuesday, following the trade of eight-time Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks - - This marks a return to San Francisco for Buckner - as Niner GM John Lynch has called trading Buckner to the Colts in 2020 the most difficult decision of his 10-year tenure, and on Tuesday, he righted that wrong - - Buckner bolsters an injured-ravaged defensive line on the heels of a loss in Atlanta in which the 49ers pressured Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. on just three (3) of his 34 dropbacks - - Buckner, 32, is entering the final year of his deal with the Colts and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season: Had Buckner signed this offseason with another team, the highest compensatory draft pick the Colts could have received was a 2028 fifth-round selection since he is an 11-year veteran — With the trade, the Colts netted a 2027 fourth-round pick instead - - Buckner was visibly angry after the Colts' third straight loss Sunday, at the Minnesota Vikings, whereas the 49ers originally used the No.7 overall pick in the 2016 draft on Buckner - as he spent his first four (4) seasons in San Francisco, which traded him for a first-round choice after the 2019 run to the Super Bowl and before he was due a lucrative contract extension - - The Niners (6-1) are in win-now mode as Buckner joins WR Deebo Samuel and LB Dre Greenlaw as key players who departed San Francisco but made their way back in pursuit of a Super Bowl title: **NOTE: Buckner has four (4) sacks on the season, which is more than any Niners player through seven (7) weeks and tied with Adetomiwa Adebawore for most on the Colts - - In San Francisco, Buckner will start alongside Osa Odighizuwa at tackle on a line that has played all or most of the season without tackles Alfred Collins (patellar tendon), C.J. West (knee) and James Thompson Jr. (ankle), and Des Nick Bosa (calf) and Sam Okuayinonu. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Indianapolis Colts unloading multiple prospects, including Quenten Nelson (Seahawks) and DeForest Buckner (49ers) on Tuesday evening?. . .The Chicago Bears are acquiring All-Pro DT Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Thursday - - The Titans are receiving 2027 and 2028 first-round picks, plus a 2027 fourth-round pick from the Bears in exchanged for Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick, the sources told Schefter - - Simmons, 29, signed a three-year, $105.8 million extension, with $100 million guaranteed with the Titans in June - as he is under contract through the 2030 season - - Simmons was a first-team All-Pro last season when he posted a career-best 11 sacks, whereas, he has recorded four (4) sacks in seven (7) games this season -- **NOTE: A four-time Pro Bowl selection, he has 46.5 sacks in eight (8) NFL seasons. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the NFL trade that landed All-Pro DT Jeffery Simmons in Chicago?. . .
- MLB - - 2026 World Series Wrap-Up: In this week's "MLB" segment, JD & Spencer discuss, review & analyze the 2026 MLB World Series between the National League champion Milwaukee Brewers and American League champion Tampa Bay Rays, in particular, the following games listed below:Game 2: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Tampa Bay Rays [MIL leads series 1-0]Game 3: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Tampa Bay Rays [MIL leads series 2-0]Game 4: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Tampa Bay Rays [MIL leads series 3-0]Game 5: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Tampa Bay Rays [MIL leads series 3-1]


Thanks for Listening!

Welcome Back to the Tradition’s Finest Podcast!
Episode 155 - "The [god]ZILLA Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:
- NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Basketball: Former Purdue star Trey Kaufman-Renn ("TKR") has signed with Kansas, the school announced, as he pursues a sixth year of NCAA eligibility: TKR was granted a temporary restraining order in September and preliminary injunction earlier this month against the NCAA, meaning he's currently eligible to suit up for the Jayhawks — His argument for a sixth year centers on his redshirt season in 2021-22, saying he would not have used it under the new NCAA five-for-five age-based eligibility model and played only four (4) seasons instead of five (5): Kansas had an available roster spot following a season-ending injury to freshman Grant Mordini - - The Jayhawks now have three (3) players fighting in courts for another season of eligibility, with Kaufman-Renn joining returning starters Melvin Council Jr. and Tre White - - Kaufman-Renn was one of the  best big man in the country during his time at Purdue: Following his redshirt season, the 6-foot-9 PF started 112 games in his final three (3) seasons with the Boilermakers, whereas he broke out in 2024-25 by averaging 20.1 points and 6.5 rebounds, then posted 14.2 points and 8.3 rebounds last season as a fifth-year senior — He was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the No.59 overall pick in the second round of June's NBA Draft, but never signed a contract despite playing in five (5) NBA summer league games with the team. . .Q: Based on both past (and previous) instances across college sports with these TRO's granted by courts against the NCAA, do you expect TKR to suit up & play for the Kansas Jayhawks in their 2026-27 season opener at home against Fordham on November 2nd?. . .NCAA College Football: Week 7 Review & Recap: In this week's opening segment, JD & Spencer discuss, review and provide direct insight into as well as a detailed analysis for a few of the most notable college football games from the wild Week Seven slate of games, for which five (5) of the top 8 teams in the AP Top 25 poll lost on the same regular-season day for the first time in history, according to Sportradar:

No.4 Ohio State Buckeyes at No.5 Indiana Hoosiers

No.7 Texas Longhorns vs. Florida Gators [Arch Manning's Replacement?]

No.1 Georgia Bulldogs vs. Auburn Tigers

No.6 Alabama Crimson Tide at No.14 Tennessee Volunteers ["Trouble in Tuscaloosa?"]

No.3 Miami Hurricanes vs. Florida State Seminoles

"The Roman Catholics vs. The Mormons:" No.2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at No.8 BYU Cougars [One Second Missing?]

No.18 Oklahoma State Cowboys at No.20 Houston Cougars

**Be Sure to Tune In for a More In-Depth Review. . .
NCAA College Football Week 8 Preview: Picks & Predictions: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer each provide their individual/independent predictions for each of the marquee college football matchups from the Week Eight slate of games: 

No.18 LSU (-8.5) at Auburn                         O/U50.5

No.6 Indiana (-7) at Michigan                       O/U41.5

No.2 BYU (-6.5) at UCF                             O/U43.5

No.13 Alabama (-14.5) vs. Texas A&M                 O/U50.5

No.11 Tennessee at South Carolina (-2.5)              O/U50.5

No.15 Iowa (-7) at Minnesota                       O/U40.5

No.7 Ole Miss at No.19 Texas (-3.5)                   O/U52.5

No.14 Houston at No.10 Utah (-6.5)                    O/U56.5

- "Locksley Out [but] No Robin Hood:" Maryland has dismissed eighth-year head football coach Mike Locksley following the Terrapins' 12th consecutive Big Ten conference loss, it was announced early Wednesday morning: Locksley, 56, went 39-54 with the Terps but held a record of 10-21 since the start of the 2024 campaign - - He was set to earn $6.4 million in his eighth season on a contract that runs through 2028 and is owed a buyout of $9.75 million, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel — There's no offset or mitigation on the deal, which means Maryland will pay all of it even if Locksley lands another job, sources told ESPN - - Maryland is naming longtime assistant Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, a Washington D.C. Native who has strong ties to the area and is viewed as a key figure in the building to help retain top talent, had recently been promoted to DC after Ted Monachino was fired by Locksley on Sunday: The Terps (2-5) are on a bye in Week 8 ahead of a visit from Illinois on Oct. 31-- Locksley's exit arrived amid an 0-4 start to Big Ten play and a five-game losing streak, which continued Saturday when the Terps conceded 24 unanswered second-half points in a 37-30 Homecoming loss to Rutgers — The defeat, which took place in front of a sparse home crowd and marked the 20th loss in the program's last 22 Big Ten games, which ultimately sealed Locksley's fate - - **NOTE: Maryland has given up 219 points during its current five-game losing streak, and the Terps are ranked 127th nationally in points allowed and 83rd in yards allowed - - While Locksley's ability to recruit and build a roster was undeniable at Maryland, the success simply didn't pour out onto the field: In his era, the Terrapins produced five (5) or more selections in two of the past three (3) NFL drafts — They also signed the nation's No.2 overall recruit in in-state DE Zion Elee, but Maryland posted identical records: 4-8 overall, 1-8 in Big Ten play - the last two seasons - - Maryland AD Jim Smith, who took over in May and did not hire Locksley, gave the coach another year to get things right, deciding in the offseason to keep the status quo — But despite the emergence of QB Malik Washington - who failed to develop as ascertained - there just wasn't enough progression in a league that produced the last three (3) national champions - - With the loss to the Scarlet Knights, the Terrapins have now dropped 13 consecutive games to Power Four (4) opponents. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Maryland's firing of head football coach Mike Locksley after falling to 0-4 in Big Ten Conference play for a third consecutive season?. . .

- NFL - - . . . NFL Regular Season Week 6 Recap: In this next segment, JD & Spencer discuss & review a few of the most notable NFL Week 6 matchups from this past weekend, including the following games:

NFL London: Houston Texans (1-4) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1)

Arizona Cardinals (1-4) at Los Angeles Rams (2-3)

Buffalo Bills (4-1) at Las Vegas Raiders (3-2)

Monday Night Football: Washington Commanders (1-3-1) at San Francisco 49ers (5-0)

-"Hurts, Not So Great:" Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts will miss the rest of the 2026 NFL season after doctors discovered multiple blood clots in the star QB's lungs, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter early Monday morning - - Hurts will undergo treatment for the blood clots that will take at least three (3) months - - Hurts' agent, Nicole Lynn, and the Eagles released a statement Monday detailing Hurts' medical status: Hurts is "clinically stable and has no significant functional limitations," according to the statement from Lynn and the Eagles, but will not be allowed to participate in football activities while on anticoagulation (blood thinner) medication - - After initially being diagnosed with a superficial clot in his calf, Hurts underwent further examination that revealed "a deep vein thrombosis, as well as bilateral pulmonary emboli," according to the statement - - The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has called for the NFL to conduct a full investigation into the medical care provided to Hurts - as his last game was on Oct. 11, when the Philadelphia Eagles lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London: Details on the timeline of events and exactly what Hurts and the team personnel knew have been disputed: At one point, the report was that the QB was told to stay awake for 36 hours before taking the field because of his injury - but this was later walked back and clarified: he stayed awake but was given a space at the stadium to sleep — It was reported earlier Tuesday that the NFL would not punish the Eagles, finding that the team handled the situation "appropriately," according to The Athletic. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the controversy surrounding Jalen Hurts' injury and the speculation abroad?. . .

- MLB - - 2026 World Series Preview: In this week's "MLB" segment, JD & Spencer preview the 2026 MLB World Series between the National League champion Milwaukee Brewers and American League champion Tampa Bay Rays, as well as provide their individual, independent predictions for this year's Fall Classic. . .Q: Who do you predict to win the 2026 World Series, and in how many games?. . .

Thanks for Listening!

Welcome Back to the Tradition’s Finest Podcast!
Episode 154 - The "Cuban Missile" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:
- NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football: Week 6 Review & Analysis: In this week's opening segment, JD & Spencer discuss, review and provide direct insight into as well as a detailed analysis for a few of the most notable college football games from the Week Six slate, including the following list of games:
No.7 Indiana at NebraskaNo.16 Florida vs. South CarolinaRed River Rivalry: No.1 Texas vs. Oklahoma No.21 UCLA at No.13 OregonNo.10 LSU at KentuckyNo.2 Georgia at No.6 Alabama**Be Sure to Tune In for a More In-Depth Review. . .
NCAA College Football Week 7 Preview: Picks & Predictions: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer each provide their individual/independent predictions for each of the marquee college football matchups from the Week Seven slate of games: 
No.4 Ohio State (-3.5) at No.5 Indiana                 O/U50.5No.7 Texas (-10.5) vs. Florida                        O/U52.5No.16 Mississippi State at No.22 LSU (-12.5)            O/U58.5No.1 Georgia (-20.5) vs. Auburn                      O/U49.5"Third Saturday in October:" No.6 Alabama (-8.5) at No.14 Tennessee            O/U53.5No.13 Missouri at No.9 Ole Miss (-6)                  O/U59.5No.2 Notre Dame (-10) at No.8 BYU                   O/U47.5No.12 UCLA (-2.5) vs. Wisconsin                       O/U45.5No.18 Oklahoma State at No.20 Houston (-4.5)          O/U61.5
- NFL - - "R.I.P. Iron Mike:" Mike Ditka, the legendary former Chicago Bears HC and first TE ever inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 86, his family announced last Friday, but no cause of death was announced: Ditka rose to national prominence leading the 1986 Bears, a team that boasted arguably the greatest defense in NFL history, to the franchise's only Super Bowl title - - Known for his fiery temper, Ditka often clashed with members of the 1985 team - commonly referred to as "Da' Bears" - including QB Jim McMahon and DC Buddy Ryan, but Chicago cruised to a 15-1 regular-season record and easily defeated the New England Patriots 46-10 in Super Bowl XX - - Hired by his former coach and Bears founder George Halas in 1982, Ditka led the Bears to the playoffs seven (7) times in his 11 seasons and reached the NFC Championship Game on three (3) occasions - - The former No.5 overall pick of the 1961 NFL Draft by the Bears, Ditka won Rookie of the Year (ROTY) after becoming the first TE to surpass 1,000 receiving yards - remaining the only Chicago TE ever to do so: He played six (6) years for the Bears, two for the Philadelphia Eagles and four (4) for the Dallas Cowboys — Ditka was a member of the Bears' 1963 NFL championship team and the Cowboys' squad that won Super Bowl VI - - **NOTE: Ditka was the first TE to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, being inducted in 1988 - - The Bears retired his jersey number, No.89, in 2013, saying it would be the last number retired by the NFL franchise - - The Bears eventually fired Ditka following the 1992 season, but he resurfaced with the Saints in 1997, but he was unable to replicate the success he had in Chicago, however, going 15-33 in his three (3) seasons in New Orleans: Ditka's run in New Orleans is best remembered for the trade that brought RB Ricky Williams to the Saints - as New Orleans traded eight (8) draft picks, including two first-round selections, to Washington for the right to move up and draft Williams No.5 overall in 1999 — Regardless, Ditka's short stint in New Orleans had no negative impact on his marketability: He became an icon in Chicago, opening several restaurants and endorsing a long list of products, including wine, cigars and sausages - and he also starred in television commercials & appeared as himself, in several television shows and in Will Ferrell's 2005 comedy "Kicking and Screaming." - - After his coaching career, Ditka worked as an analyst, first at NBC and then for ESPN, including as a member of the "Sunday NFL Countdown" crew alongside Chris Berman - - A native of Aliquippa, PA, Ditka was a three-sport-athlete (football, basketball & baseball) at Pitt University, who pursued a career in professional football after college: As a TE for the Panthers, he led Pitt in receiving in each of his three (3) seasons on varsity (1958-60) and was a unanimous All-America selection in 1960 - and he was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986 — Ditka and Baltimore's John Mackey - for which the college football award presented to the best overall TE is aptly named - changed the TE position and offensive schemes forever: He was a battering ram of a blocker, but Ditka was just as likely to catch a short pass and pinball through a secondary or outrace a lone safety on a deep route - - After his professional career, Ditka spent nine (9) seasons as an assistant coach for Tom Landry in Dallas before Halas tabbed him to replace Neill Armstrong following the 1981 season. . . NFL Regular Season Week 5 Recap: In this next segment, JD & Spencer discuss & review a few of the most notable NFL Week 5 matchups from this past weekend, including the following games:
NFL London: Philadelphia Eagles (2-2) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1)New York Giants (3-1) at Washington Commanders (1-3)San Francisco 49ers (4-0) at Seattle Seahawks (3-1)Monday Night Football: Buffalo Bills (3-1) at Los Angeles Rams (2-2)
- Texans HC DeMeco Ryans ended his postgame news conference in grand fashion Sunday by telling reporters that Houston had completed a trade for Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr: "You guys want to know, huh? Yes, we traded for Marvin Harrison," Ryans said — The Texans sent two picks in the 2027 draft (a second-rounder and seventh-rounder) to the Cardinals in exchange for the third-year wideout and a 2027 sixth-round selection, as NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the news Sunday afternoon: There had been early signs of discontent between the Cardinals and Harrison Jr. after he request was declined for a "Seeker" catching machine made by Monarc Sport, per The Arizona Republic: Harrison, who was expected to serve as a serious contributor to the Cardinals' offense, used the advanced robotic machine valued around $50,000 that can replicate the speed and trajectory of any NFL QB during his days at Ohio State - and upon his transition to the NFL, the 24-year-old WR wanted to continue to use this device as part of his daily routine — Yet, that request was denied by the Cardinals organization, but it's unknown as to whom within the group ultimately made that decision - - Harrison, the son of Hall of Fame WR Marvin Harrison, went to make the hefty purchase himself — The incident resurfaced around Sunday's trade, which occurred after Harrison expressed his displeasure with his reduced role within the Cardinals offense -- **NOTE: The move makes Harrison the fourth of six (6) top-10 draft picks by the Cardinals in the past decade to leave the organization: The other two include OL Paris Johnson Jr., who is out for the season with a torn left bicep, and rookie RB Jeremiyah Love, who is averaging just 49 rushing yards through the first five (5) games of the 2026-27 NFL regular season - - After being selected with the No.4 overall pick in the 2024 draft, Harrison entered the NFL with Hall of Fame heritage and sky-high expectations after a celebrated career at Ohio State University - but 33 games into his pro career, Harrison has struggled to live up to his draft billing: Harrison entered his third season with 103 catches for 1,493 yards and 12 TDs over 29 games, but he struggled through consistency and injuries over those first two years — His play, however, has cratered through four (4) games to begin the 2026 NFL season - as the Cardinals listed Harrison as inactive for their Week 5 matchup: Harrison has just five (5) receptions on 13 targets for 85 yards receiving and a TD this season and was subject to trade speculation the past few weeks - - Harrison will now head to a different AFC South team in Houston and one that is looking to save its season after an 0-4 start - now 1-4 following the Texans' win over the Titans on Sunday: Harrison will reunite with his former college QB in C.J. Stroud with the Texans and will fit into a loaded WR room led by Nico Collins and potentially Tank Dell, who returned to practice this week. . .Q: Would you classify Marvin Harrison Jr. as a "bust?" What are your thoughts on the Arizona Cardinals' trade of WR Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Houston Texans? Which organization do you think benefits the most from this particular trade?. . .
- MLB - - 2026 MLB Playoffs Recap: In this week's "MLB" segment, JD & Spencer detail and review the 2026 MLB Playoffs, or more specifically, both the ALCS and NLCS matchup(s) through the first three (3) games of each series; The following MLB playoff game(s) listed below are discussed throughout this episode:
ALCS Game 1: Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay RaysALCS Game 2: Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays (CLE leads series 1-0)ALCS Game 3: Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays (Series tied 1-1)
NLCS Game 1: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Los Angeles DodgersNLCS Game 2: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (MIL leads series 1-0)NLCS Game 3: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (MIL leads series 2-0)


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Welcome Back to the Tradition’s Finest Podcast!
Episode 153 1/8 - "The Eddie Gaedel Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

• NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football: Week 5 Review & Recap: In this week's opening segment, JD & Spencer discuss, review and analyze a few of the most notable matchups from the Week Five slate of games, including the following list of games: **Be Sure to Tune in for a More In-Depth Review!. . .

Pittsburgh at Virginia TechNo.7 Alabama at No.16 Mississippi StateNo.17 Tennessee vs. AuburnNo.6 Ohio State at No.14 IowaNo.24 Kentucky at South CarolinaNo.8 Florida at No.25 MissouriOregon State at Colorado State [Beavers' DC Tyson Summers is no longer with the program]. . .
NCAA College Football Week 6 Preview: Picks & Predictions: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer each provide their individual/independent predictions for each of the marquee college football matchups from the Week Six slate of games: 
No.19 USC (-1.5) at Penn State                                                                                    O/U54.5             No.10 LSU (-10) at Kentucky                                                                          O/U54.5No.21 UCLA at No.13 Oregon (-11.5)                                                          O/U59.5No.9 Ole Miss (-10) at Vanderbilt                                                                 O/U59.5Red River Rivalry: No. 1 Texas (-8.5) vs. Oklahoma                                   O/U39.5No.14 Missouri (-3.5) vs. Texas A&M                                                           O/U48.5No.7 Indiana (-7.5) at Nebraska                                                                   O/U52.5No.2 Georgia at No.6 Alabama (-1.5)                                                          O/U55.5

• NFL - - NFL Regular Season Week 4 Recap: In this week's "NFL" opening segment, JD & Spencer provide a detailed analysis for a few of this week's (i.e., Week 4) regular-season matchups as listed below, as well discuss some of the buzzworthy storylines from across the league:

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-1)Los Angeles Rams (1-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) at Las Vegas Raiders (3-0)Detroit Lions (2-1) at Carolina Panthers (1-2)                   - "A Cheetah on the Prowl:" NFL free agent WR Tyreek Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said he begin negotiating a deal for the veteran wideout with multiple teams Monday: One team in the mix is the Kansas City Chiefs, who have maintained contact with Hill - as a reunion between the Chiefs and Hill is intriguing for both parties - - Kansas City has a need at WR with Tyquan Thornton out 12 to 16 weeks after suffering a dislocated left ankle Sunday, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport - - Rashee Rice also left the Week 4 win with a hamstring injury: Through the first four (4) weeks, Rice & Thornton have been the Chiefs' best WRs, combining to make 24 catches on 31 targets for 409 yards and three (3) TDs - - Hill is available after the Miami Dolphins released the 10-year veteran in February in a move that helped clear significant salary cap space: Hill began his career in Kansas City, playing alongside QB Patrick Mahomes and TE Travis Kelce for six (6) and recording 62 total TDs during that span - as Hill's familiarity with HC Andy Reid and the Chiefs' offense could help east his transition back onto the field. . .

• MLB - - 2026 MLB Playoffs: ALDS Game 3: Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Guardians (CHW led series 2-0) - - Jo Adell and Jose Ramirez powered Cleveland with a pair of two-out triples, and the Guardians avoided an AL Division Series sweep by cooling off the Chicago White Sox with a 9-3 victory in Game 3 on Wednesday - - Adell's three-run triple gave Cleveland a 4-1 lead in the 3rd inning, whereas Ramirez's three-bagger drove in Travis Bazzana and Patrick Bailey for a 7-3 advantage in the 8th -- **NOTE: The Guardians recorded two triples in a postseason game for the first time in franchise history, and they became the first major league team to accomplish the feat since the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series: Adell, Ramirez, Bailey and Brayan Rocchio each had two of the team's 11 hits - a complete turnaround for the AL Central champions after they managed just three (3) runs and seven (7) hits in the first two games of the series combined - - Chicago won its first four (4) games in a surprising postseason appearance after going 60-102 last year - it was backed by a frenzied crowd of 40,590 for the franchise's first home playoff game since 2021, but there wasn't much for the fans to cheer in the final innings - as the White Sox struck out 19 times and went 2 for 11 with runners in position - and their bullpen faltered after coming up big in their fast postseason start. . . .ALDS Game 3: Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees (TB led series 2-0) - - Victor Mesa Jr. hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer off Yankees pitcher Max Fried in the 6th inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 4-3 on Wednesday night with the help of a fan interference call for a three-game sweep of their AL Division Series - - Ryan Vilade also homered for the Rays, who reached the American League Championship Series (ALCS) for the first time since 2020 and host the Chicago Whites Sox or Cleveland Guardians in the opener on Monday - - After Mesa's homer gave the Rays a 4-2 lead, Anthony Volpe appeared to hit a two-run shot against Griffin Jax with two outs in the bottom of the 6th as a fan reached over the left-field wall and caught the ball over the glove of a leaping Mesa: A video review determined the ball would not have been over the wall and would not have been caught by Mesa - as Volpe was awarded an RBI double and George Lombard Jr. was allowed to score from first base - and Jax recovered to strike out Spencer Jones: Baseball's adaptation video technology was key to the inning - - Quite the change from 1996, when umpires did not have the technology to assist and Derek Jeter's homer for the Yankees helped turn around the ALCS opener despite Jeffrey Meier reaching over the right-field wall where Baltimore's Tony Tarasco was set to catch the ball - as the MLB began using video for HR calls in 2008 and allowed challenges to ball/strike decisions starting this year: Swept in a best-of-five (5) postseason matchup for the first time since the 1980 ALCS against Kansas City, the Yankees ended their 17th straight season without a World Series crown - as that equals their longest drought since winning their first championship in 1923, a gap between titles in 1978 and '96 - - Yankees captain Aaron Judge missed the 2026 postseason after straining a calf on Sept. 16 - as the three-time AL MVP played just seven (7) games after May 31 because of a fractured rib and the leg injury, an absence the team couldn't overcome: **NOTE: After sweeping Boston in the Wild Card Series, New York never led against the Rays and has not advanced past a higher-seeded team in the postseason since 2020. . .NLDS Game 4: Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (LAD led series 2-1) - - CF Andy Pages drove in two runs with a bases-loaded single in the 7th inning to give Los Angeles the lead, and the Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 4-1 on Wednesday to clinch their NL Division Series - - The Dodgers won back-to-back games in Atlanta to take the best-of-five (5) matchup 3-1 and advance to the National League (NL) Championship Series as they seek to become the first NL team to win three (3) straight World Series - - Pages lined a 3-2 pitch from Robert Suarez up the middle to drive in Teoscar Hernandez, who singled off Braves starter Tyle Mahle, and pinch runner Tommy Edman for a 3-1 lead - - Didier Fuentes walked pinch hitter Josue De Paula and Kyle Tucker to load the bases - as Edman ran for De Paula -- **NOTE: Max Muncy's solo shot off Raisel Iglesias in the 9th inning padded the lead and gave the slugger 19 postseason homers with the Dodgers, extending his franchise record - - Dodgers RHP Tyler Glasnow, making his first start since Sept. 24, allowed only one hit but walked five (5) batters in 4 2/3 innings - and after he issued two walks in the 5th inning, left-hander Alex Vesia ended the inning on Matt Olson's groundout to second base - - Glasnow and four (4) relievers combined to give up just three (3) hits - meanwhile, Tanner Scott pitched a perfect 8th before Edwin Dias got three (3) quick outs for the save - - Braves' Michael Harris II hit Glasnow's first pitch for a single before stealing second base and eventually scoring from third on a wild pitch that bounced off catcher Will Smith's chest protector - - The Dodgers pulled even in the 2nd inning with the help of two Atlanta errors: (1) Sean Murphy's errant throw into center-field after Shohei Ohtani stole second base; and (2) Muncy's pop fly into shallow left field was dropped by SS Mauricio Dubon for another error, allowing Ohtani to score - - Teoscar Hernandez crashed into the wall while attempting to catch Ozzie Albies' double off Vesia leading the 6th inning. . .NLDS Game 4: Milwaukee Brewers vs. San Diego Padres (MIL led series 2-1) - - Brewers CF Garrett Mitchell tripled and scored the tiebreaking run in the 5th inning before making a pivotal catch on Manny Machado's drive to the wall in the 8th, and the Milwaukee Brewers advanced to the National League (NL) Championship Series for the second straight season with a 3-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night, winning their best-of-five (5) Division Series in four (4) games - - Mitchell also drove in Sal Frelick with Milwaukee's first run as the Brewers snapped their 12-game postseason road losing streak since 2018 and reached the team's fifth League Championship Series - - Padres slugger Machado nearly tied Game 4 with a 406-foot drive off Brewers reliever Abner Uribe, but Mitchell coolly tracked it down and reached just above the short wall in right-center field to keep it in the yard - - Second baseman Brice Turang then ended the 8th inning with an acrobatic catch of Ty France's tailing popup in foul ground - - After fending off the surging Padres in four (4) tight games decided by a combined five (5) runs, the 103-win Brewers will get an NLCS rematch with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who eliminated Atlanta earlier on Wednesday - - Jake Bauers singled leading off the 6th inning and went to third base on Cooper Pratt's ground-rule double before scoring on Frelick's sacrifice fly: The Padres were already down 3-1 in the 7th when Mason Miller allowed three (3) baserunners, but no runs - as the vaunted closer missed Game 3 for the birth of his first child - - After sitting below .500 and in 11th place in the NL in late July, San Diego roared into the first wild-card spot and then swept the Chicago Cubs in the WC Series last week - as the Padres won 19 of 22 before losing three (3) of four (4) games to Milwaukee. . .

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Welcome Back to the Tradition’s Finest Podcast!
Episode 152 - The "Whatchoo Talkin' 'bout [Patrick] Willis" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:
- NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football: Week 3 Review & Recap: In this week's opening segment, JD & Spencer discuss, review and provide direct insight into as well as a detailed analysis for a few of the most notable college football games from the Week 3 slate, including the following list of games:No.22 Houston at No.13 Texas Tech"The Craziest Ending:" NC State at VanderbiltNo.10 Alabama vs. Florida StateNo.20 Missouri vs. TroyNo.9 Texas A&M vs. KentuckyNo.16 SMU at No.23 LouisvilleDuke's Mayo Classic: No.25 Virginia vs. West VirginiaFlorida at AuburnNo.7 LSU at No.8 Ole Miss**Be Sure to Tune In for a More In-Depth Review. . .
NCAA College Football Week 4 Preview: Picks & Predictions: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer each provide their individual/independent predictions for each of the marquee college football matchups from the Week 4 slate of games: 
No.1 Texas (-5.5) at No.14 Tennessee               O/U55.5No.4 Ole Miss at No.21 Florida (-3.5)              O/U60.5        No.2 Georgia (-14) vs. Oklahoma                O/U43.5No.17 Iowa at No.18 Michigan (-5.5)             O/U38.5No.8 Alabama (-12.5) vs. South Carolina            O/U54.5No.23 Texas A&M at No.10 LSU (-8.5)                O/U52.5No.20 Oregon (-3) at No.12 USC               O/U62.5No.19 Missouri at No.24 Mississippi State (-6.5)     O/U58.5Vanderbilt vs. Auburn (-9.5)                     O/U55.5Boise State (-7) at Western Michigan              O/U48.5

- NFL - - NFL Regular Season Week 2 Recap: Week 2 of the 2026 NFL regular season was defined by a surge of high-profile QB injuries and a sharp drop in overall offensive explosiveness: Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams suffered a right hamstring injury during the game against the Minnesota Vikings and had to be carted off the field — he is considered "week-to-week" with the right hamstring injury, however Bears HC Ben Johnson would not rule Williams out for next Monday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles even though he does not expect the third-year QB to practice at all this week; Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow that looked very concerning - even so that NFL commentator/former NFL QB Tom Brady shouted an expletive on live TV - in the 2nd QTR of the team's loss to the Dallas Cowboys, and is expected to miss approximately 2-3 weeks; New York Giants QB Jaxson Dart exited Monday Night Football early against the Los Angeles Rams with a concerning knee injury, and per Giants HC John Harbaugh on Tuesday evening, Dart will undergo a season-ending surgery - - After a historic Week 1 where 15 teams scored 26 or more points, that number fell to under double-digits in Week 2 as defenses adjusted and tackled much better - - High penalty counts (such as the 27 combined penalties committed between the Packers and Jets) and low third-down conversion rates plagued multiple teams — In this week's NFL segment, JD & Spencer dive into a discussion of the most notable NFL games from across the Week 2 slate, including those listed below: 
New Orleans Saints at Baltimore RavensMinnesota Vikings at Chicago BearsWashington Commanders at Dallas CowboysIndianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs
- "A Guinness World Record Kick:" Former NFL kicker Adam Vinatieri isn't a stranger to snowy conditions. . .but in the Swiss Alps? — This was a first for the Pro Football Hall of Fame kicker this week as he set a Guinness World Record: On Tuesday, the 53-year-old Vinatieri set the record for kicking the highest FG in the world at 11,332 feet above sea level at Jungfraujoch, also known as the "Top of Europe." - - The conditions were a little more difficult than what he experienced at Foxboro Stadium during the 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff Game against Al Davis's Oakland Raiders when he kicked a 45-yard FG to send the New England Patriots to the AFC Championship Game: The world record attempt was part of the Patriots' promotion for their upcoming Nov. 15 game set to occur in Munich, Germany, against the Detroit Lions - as the team hold market rights in the DACH region of Germany, Austria and Switzerland - - Vinatieri played 24 seasons in the NFL with the Patriots and Indianapolis Colts: **NOTE: He is the NFL's all-time leading scorer (2,673 points) and is the league record holder for FGs made (599), playoff points (238) and successful OT FGs (12) — A three-time first-team All-Pro, Vinatieri won three (3) Super Bowls with the Patriots and one more with the Colts: In Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII, it was his foot that kicked the Patriots to championships in the final seconds - as his on-field success led to him being part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026. . ."A No Fun League:"  The NFL fined San Francisco 49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk $14,926 on Thursday for "engaging in offensive demonstrations," — According to the NFL, Juszczyk violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, when he did an "imitation of chugging beer" with just under eight (8) minutes left in the 3rd QTR of the Niners' 35-13 win against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2 - - The fine notice added that further offenses could potentially result in an escalation of disciplinary action, up to and including suspension - - Juszczyk has already appealed the fine, he told ESPN's Adam Schefter: Juszczyk, who goes by the nickname "Juice" has performed the celebration for years and has, in the past, acknowledged the celebratory gesture is in reference to him drinking his "juice" following an explosive play — He has never been fined previously for the celebration and told Schefter via text that, "I don't even drink beer." [which I have a VERY difficult time believing that this man does not drink the "water of the Gods."]. . .Q: What are your thoughts on San Francisco 49ers FB Kyle "Juice" Juszczyk being fined $14k by the NFL for performing his usual TD celebration on Sunday against the Dolphins?. . .

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Welcome Back to the Tradition’s Finest Podcast!
Episode 151 - The [Abbreviated] "For Welles" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:
- NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football: Week 2 Review & Analysis: In this week's opening segment, JD & Spencer discuss, review and provide direct insight as well as a detailed analysis for a few of the most notable college football games from the Week 2 slate . . .**Be Sure to Tune In for a More In-Depth Review. . .

NCAA College Football Week 3 Preview: Picks & Predictions: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer each provide their individual/independentredictions for each of the marquee college football matchups from the Week 3 slate of games
No.10 Alabama (-20.5) vs. Florida State       O/U49.5 No.22 Houston at No.13 Texas Tech (-7.5)        O/U52.5        No.9 Texas A&M (-16.5) vs Kentucky    O/U49.5No.16 SMU at No.23 Louisville (-1.5)    O/U59.5"The Lane Change Game:" No.7 LSU (-3) at No.8 Ole Miss  O/U58.5"Duke's Mayo Classic:" No.25 Virginia (-10) vs. West Virginia O/U53.5South Carolina (-3.5) vs. Mississippi State  O/U58.5Florida (-2.5) vs. Auburn               O/U52.5

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Episode 150 - The "A Look Back" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football: Week 1 Review & Analysis: In this week's opening segment, JD & Spencer discuss, review and provide direct insight as well as a detailed analysis for a few of the most notable college football games from Week 1, including such games/topics as the following: Colorado vs. Georgia Tech; No.13 Alabama vs. East Carolina; Aflac Kickoff: Baylor vs. Auburn; No.2 Oregon vs. Boise State; The controversy surrounding the No.16 Michigan vs. Western Michigan matchup; No.11 LSU vs. Clemson; and finally, the Liberty Mutual Music City Kickoff between No.9 Ole Miss and No.24 Louisville. . .**Be Sure to Tune In for a More In-Depth Review. . .

NCAA College Football Week 2 Preview: Picks & Predictions: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer each provide their individual/independent predictions for each of the marquee college football matchups from the Week 2 slate of games:

"Border War:" No.23 Missouri (-5.5) at Kansas                   O/U50.5

No.11 Oklahoma (-5.5) at Michigan                           O/U43.5

No.10 Texas A&M (-14.5) vs. Arizona State                      O/U50.5

No.14 BYU (-7.5) vs. Arizona                                 O/U47.5

No.18 Tennessee (-12.5) at Georgia Tech                     O/U55.5

No.1 Ohio State at No.4 Texas (-1.5)                        O/U48.5

No.21 Iowa (-14) vs. Iowa State                            O/U53.5

No.12 Alabama (-10.5) at Kentucky                           O/U49.5

Boise State (-8.5) vs. Memphis                               O/U54.5

- NFL - - DT Aaron Donald did not travel to Melbourne, Australia, to play in the Los Angeles Rams' 2026 season opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, HC Sean McVay said Tuesday - - McVay said he didn't want to "put any sort of expectations" on when Donald will play, but that the DT will be "a big part" of the team when's he ready to go - as McVay has been clear since Donald came out of retirement that the Rams would not rush him back on the field: Donald, who initially retired in March 2024, came out of retirement on Aug. 30 - as he took part in individual drills that day but did not do 11-on-11 until Sept.6. . .

- NBA - - The Los Angeles Lakers will honor legendary coach Phil Jackson - who won five (5) of his unprecedented 11 NBA coaching titles in L.A. - with a statue next season, the team announced Tuesday - - The statue will be unveiled April 9, 2027, before the Lakers' game against the Minnesota Timberwolves - - Jackson, 80, coached the Lakers for 11 seasons across two stints (1999-2004, 2005-11), winning three (3) championships running his patented triangle offense through Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal as the team's primary stars and two more with Bryant and Pau Gasol as L.A.'s lynchpins - - **NOTE: Jackson will be the ninth member of the Lakers organization with a statue at Star Plaza outside Crypto.com Arena, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Chick Hearn, Magic Johnson, Pat Riley, Jerry West, O'Neal and Bryant (who has two). . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Los Angeles Lakers' announcement that they will honor legendary coach Phil Jackson with a statue outside of Crypto.com Arena next season?. . .

- Miscellaneous - - Golf: LIV Golf and its related entities voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of New Jersey on Tuesday, according to court records - - The league indicated it had between $100 million and $500 million in assets and $500 million to $1 billion in liabilities: Jon Rahm ($7.5 million), Bryson DeChambeau ($5.7 million), Dustin Johnson ($5.5 million), Cameron Smith ($4.8 million), Tyrrell Hatton ($3.4 million) and Brooks Koepka ($1.7 million) are among the league's creditors with the 30 largest unsecured claims, according to court records - as those totals reflect the past-due payments owed to the golfers but not what is owed to them beyond the bankruptcy filing date - - In a statement, LIV Golf said that it entered a restructuring support agreement with BC Partners Advisors and that it had voluntarily entered a court-supervised restructuring process under Chapter 11 - as the league said it plans to return to competition in 2027 and is expected to be majority-owened by its players. . .Q: Is this officially the end for LIV Golf?. . .

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Episode 149 - The [Abbreviated] "FCS Stunner" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football: Week 0 Review & Analysis: In this week's opening segment, JD & Spencer discuss, review and provide direct insight as well as a detailed analysis for a few of the most notable college football games from Week 0, including such games/topics as the following: The Aer Lingus College Football Classic matchup between TCU & North Carolina, the all-ACC clash between the Virginia Cavaliers & NC State Wolfpack, the North Dakota State Bisons' FBS debut vs. Jacksonville State, Florida State vs. New Mexico State, the instant classic between Stanford & Hawaii, and finally, the impressive performance of West Florida (FCS) transfer QB Marcus Stokes' in the Memphis Tigers' season-opening win over Dan Mullen's UNLV Runnin' Rebels. . .**Be Sure to Tune In for a More In-Depth Review. . .

NCAA College Football Week 1 Preview: Picks & Predictions: In this particular segment, JD & Spencer each provide their individual/independent predictions for each of the marquee college football matchups from the Week 1 slate of games:

No.7 Miami (-24.5) at Stanford                                                O/U47.5

No.14 USC (-23.5) vs. Fresno State                                             O/U51.5

No.2 Oregon (-24.5) vs. Boise State                                            O/U51.5

No.18 Penn State (-24.5) vs. Marshall                                           O/U54.5

No.10 LSU (-10.5) vs. Clemson                                                O/U51.5

No.13 Alabama (-28.5) vs. East Carolina                                      O/U53.5

Aflac Kickoff: Auburn (-7) vs. Baylor                                         O/U59.5

UCLA (-1.5) at Cal                                                         O/U53.5

Apple Cup: No.17 Washington (-23.5) vs. Washington State                        O/U50.5

Liberty Mutual Music City Kickoff: No.9 Ole Miss (-6.5) vs. No.24 Louisville            O/U55.5

No.4 Notre Dame (-20.5) vs. Wisconsin [Game played at Lambeau Field]             O/U47.5

No.19 SMU (-2.5) at Florida State                                                O/U53.5

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 148 - The "Mooooooose" Episode includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football: The Big Ten Conference has passed a rule that stops players returning from the NFL from playing for one of its schools: Any player who has declared for the NFL draft and did not withdraw, appeared on an NFL roster or signed a contract with a pro league cannot be on a Big Ten roster, the league announced Tuesday in a statement: The Big Ten's ADs unanimously approved the rule, which then received unanimous approval later Tuesday from the conference's faculty athletic representatives, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel — **NOTE: Any teams in violation of the rule would be subject to its HC being suspended for 50% of its remaining games plus an undisclosed fine, the Big Ten confirmed - - The Big Ten's ruling comes in the wake of two NFL players - Cleveland Browns TE Dae'Quan Wright and the New Orleans Saints' Zxavian Harris - parting with their respective teams to join Lane Kiffin's roster at LSU — Wright and Harris, who both played for Kiffin at Ole Miss, are returning to college football thanks to a court order that is creating havoc throughout the NCAA by allowing athletes an unexpected fifth year of eligibility - - **NOTE: The SEC Conference - as well as the Big 12 and ACC Conference(s) - also approved a similar ban later this week on players who have declared or appeared on a professional league roster — The NCAA said in a statement that court rulings that grant athletes a fifth-year of eligibility are having a "destabilizing effect" on college sports, meanwhile, LSU HC Lane Kiffin doubled down, defending the program's unprecedented moves on Monday, saying players are "either going to play for you or they're going to play for someone else around the country." . . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Big Ten's unanimous approval of the rule barring NFL players from returning to college competition?. .Hours after the Big Ten passed the rule stopping players returning from the NFL from playing for one of its' programs, the SEC followed suit - - At the conclusion of meetings with league presidents, chancellors and ADs Tuesday, the Conference announced a strict policy on the matter, releasing details across its social media channels - as sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel that the vote to implement the policy was 16-0: With a step-by-step explanation, the SEC announced that its' institutions are "not permitted to have an athlete on its roster who has: (1) Previously declared for the NFL, NBA, or WNBA draft, and did not appropriately withdraw; (2) Signed a contract with an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League, or WNBA (or affiliate) team, or. . .(3) Been listed on an NFL (or other professional football league), NBA/G-League, or WNBA (or affiliate) roster." -- The announcement concluded with annotation that commissioner Greg Sankey "is authorized to enforce this expectation with penalties against member institutions." - - An SEC spokesperson later told ESPN's Heather Dinich that penalties are "to be announced." - - But where the Big Ten earlier in the day announced its policy for football, saying in its statement that any player who has declared for the NFL draft and didn't withdraw, appeared on an NFL roster or signed a contract with a pro league may not be on a Big Ten roster, the SEC added pro basketball, including the NBA and the WNBA, to its policy -- The SEC and Big Ten do not appear to be along in these beliefs: The Big 12 as well as the ACC Conference(s) also held meetings that resulted in a similar conclusion regarding the return of NFL players to the collegiate level - - Then, on Thursday, a Dallas judge signed an order that prohibits the NCAA, the SEC and its commissioner Greg Sankey from stopping a group of athletes - three (3) of whom are currently listed on NFL rosters - from returning to college sports for one more season of play. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the state of college football with the legitimate possibility that players who were previously on NFL rosters receiving a fifth year of college eligibility?. . ."Should They Have Gone to Jared?:" Vanderbilt senior Blaze Berlowitz will be the starting QB in the Commodores' Week 1 matchup with Austin Peay, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel on Tuesday: The move follows an extended position battle across spring and fall camp between Berlowitz and five-star freshman Jared Curtis, who is the highest-rated signee in program history and is also expected to play in Vanderbilt's Sept. 5 season opener, the first of three (3) nonconference games on the Commodores' schedule, which also includes September visits from Delaware and NC State - - Berlowitz, a dual-threat passer from Cushing, Oklahoma, is in his third season at Vanderbilt - as he began his career at New Mexico State before following eventual Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia and OC Tim Beck to the Commodores before the 2024 season - - While Berlowitz has been named the Commodores' starter for Week 1, the occasion should also be the stage of Curtis' college debut: The 6-foot-3, 230-pound QB from Nashville signed late last fall as ESPN's No.1 pocket passer and No.12 overall prospect in the 2026 cycle, and arrived in January as the most coveted recruit in school history. . .Q: What are your thoughts on Vanderbilt's decision to tab Blaze Berlowitz as the Commodores' starting QB for the 2026-27 season? Are you somewhat surprised that Berlowitz got the nod over five-star freshman QB Jared Curtis?. . ."One Man, One Drive:" Marty Whims II's phone rang Tuesday - and on the other end of the call was University of Akron AD Andrew Goodrich offering Whims the opportunity of a lifetime on the football team's sideline: When Akron hosts Robert Morris for its Sept. 12 home opener, the Zips plan to turn offensive playcalling duties over - somewhat - to the Executive from a Cleveland-based real estate firm - - Weeks after the school launched its' viral "Offensive Coordinator of the Game" promotion, Akron announced Whims as the contest winner, thrusting the alumnus and longtime season-ticket holder into the role of assisting Zips HC Joe Moorhead script plays during the opening offensive series of the Week 2 matchup: "It's super cool," Whims said in a video released by Akron Football's social media account. "My boss shared it on LinkedIn, so business contacts are reaching out, friends, family. I mean, everybody's just super excited about it, wishing me good luck. It's been awesome." -- An alumnus of Akron's College of Business and the chief financial officer at Stark Enterprises, Whims has held Zips season tickets since at least 2009 - - Akron generated national attention earlier this month when the school announced the raffle offering season-ticket holders the chance to call plays alongside Moorhead: The promotion not only generated buzz but also reportedly produced record-setting sales of season tickets and stadium suites -- According to Akron, the Zips have fully sold out their inventory of 17 suites at InfoCision Stadium for the first time since it opened in 2009 - - Such an uptick in revenue was at least part of the campaign's mission - as the senior deputy AD at Akron, Matt Pottorff, told The Beacon Journal that the school intends to allocate 70% of all ticket sales across all sports towards the Zips' NIL and revenue-share programs - - Naturally, the opportunity to call plays for an FBS football team attracted interest well beyond NE Ohio, as the Zips' initial social media post announcing the contest on Aug. 4, has generated more than 23 million views as of Tuesday evening, and the school has seen ticket purchases from coast to coast: Among Akron's most prominent new season-ticket holders is ESPN's Pat McAfee. .So, how did the promotion work?: According to Akron, all season-ticket holders were automatically entered into a random drawing - and on Aug. 19, the school announced nine (9) finalists spanning five (5) states, a group that included longtime local fans such as Whims, seemingly unaffiliated newcomers based in Nebraska, New York, New Jersey and Texas, as well as pair of prominent social media figures: Dan "Big Cat" Katz of Barstool Sports and YouTube streamer James Bordeaux, whose channel centered on the EA Sports College Football video game, which has nearly 600k subscribers - - Whims will also be helping Moorhead break in a new QB: Transfer Reese Poffenbarger, who joined the Zips this offseason after stops at Old Dominion, Albany, Miami and North Texas, is set to lead the program's offense this fall -- Whims will also be operating in seasoned company alongside Moorhead, the veteran playcaller who stewarded an Akron offense that ranked fifth in the MAC Conference in yards per game (353.5) last season. . .Q: In the first offensive drive for the Akron Zips in their season opener versus Robert Morris, what set of plays do you think Marty Whims II calls on the opening drive?. . .**Name That Starting QB: In this next segment, JD & Spencer discuss and analyze the starting QB(s) that have been recently announced across the college football landscape, including the following programs: Alabama, Nebraska, Tennessee, and Florida. . .

- Aer Lingus College Football Classic [Dublin, Ireland]: North Carolina vs. TCU (-7.5) O/U47.5

- No.14 USC (-38.5) vs. San Jose State O/U60.5

- NC State vs. Virginia (-5.5) O/U53.5

- Jacksonville State vs. North Dakota State (-7) O/U46.5

- Sacramento State vs. Eastern Michigan (-10) O/U52.5

- Hawaii vs. Stanford (-4) O/U48.5

- New Mexico State vs. Florida State (-30.5) O/U52.5

- Memphis vs. UNLV (-4.5) O/U56.5

- NFL - - "An NFL Study:" At least one in four (4) NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had the degenerative brain disease known as CTE, a new study has revealed: The study, published Tuesday by the British Medical Journal, focused on how common chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) might be among NFL players -- **NOTE: What it found is that of the 878 players who appeared in at least one NFL game and died in that six-year period, at least 25% had CTE - - CTE can only be diagnosed after death, so most research has depended on brains donated by players or their families - as this study drew on samples donated between 2008 and 2021, 93% of which had been diagnosed with CTE, then narrowed the sample based on donations were highest and factored in demographic data and information from death certificates: The estimate of 25% is on the "low end," said Dr. Daniel Daneshvar, the study's lead author - as the study found that the maximum possible prevalence of CTE was around 97%, but the true rate "is somewhere in the middle." Daneshvar said - - The study also looked at the link between CTE and dementia, finding that >90% of samples of the most advanced stage of CTE, Stage 4, were also diagnosed with dementia -- Daneshvar noted that since the biggest predictor of CTE is the cumulative force of hits to the head, that risk can be mitigated by things such as eliminating hits during practices and having children not play tackle football. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the results/findings of this particular research study?. . ."The San Francisco $149ers?:" San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York pleaded no contest to a pair of misdemeanor charges Monday after being arrested in Ohio on suspicion of engaging in prostitution -- According to Columbiana County (Ohio) court records obtained by ESPN, York allegedly responded to an undercover ad on a known prostitution website and "arranged to have sexual activity with the female in exchange for $140." - - York was arrested upon arriving at the meeting location with the cell phone used to arrange the meeting, according to the records: An arrest report filed by the East Palestine Police Department notes York was arrested Sunday at 9:35 a.m. at the Wheat Mill Mobile Home Community - as East Palestine police assisted the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force in York's arrest, per the report - - Authorities initially charged York with misdemeanor counts of engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools - but the former charge was amended to misdemeanor disorderly conduct as part of a plea agreement resolving the case - - The NFL said in a statement that the league is "aware of the matter which will be reviewed under the personal conduct policy." - - Court records say the local prosecutor filed a plea arrangement Monday morning as York pleaded no contest and paid $1,150 in fines - as York was also sentenced to one day in jail for each charge, with one day already considered to be served - - Despite the reports of infidelity, York actually filed for divorce from his wife, Danielle, in May, according to documents filed in Santa Clara County (California) Superior Court - - York has been the majority owner of the Niners since 2024 but has been the team's chief executive officer since 2008 - and he is originally from Youngstown, Ohio: **NOTE: The Niners have made the Super Bowl three (3) times under York's leadership, losing in the 2012 season under HC Jim Harbaugh and in the 2019 and 2013 seasons under Kyle Shanahan & GM John Lynch -- York also oversaw the building of Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara - as the team moved from San Francisco to the new stadium in 2014: **NOTE: The stadium has hosted two Super Bowls, a World Cup and a College Football Playoff title game. . .Deshaun Watson will open the NFL regular season as the Cleveland Browns' starting QB, per HC Todd Monken who made the announcement on Monday - - And in his first news conference as the Browns' starter, Watson apologized for his postgame comments Saturday in which he called Browns' fans "disrespectful" for booing him - - Watson, 30, won a competition with second-year player Shedeur Sanders that began in the offseason workout program and stretched into the first two preseason games - and as of now, Sanders will officially be Watson's backup - - Monken said the decision to start Watson will not be a "week-to-week" proposition - as the Browns face the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road in Week 1: The decision comes despite Watson's struggles in the second preseason game Saturday, during which he completed 5-of-12 for 35 yards and one INT over four (4) second-half drives - as the seats at Huntington Bank Field were half full, but the boos were pronounced when Watson took the field at the beginning of the second half and as he struggled -- On Monday, Watson opened his news conference with a two-minute statement in which he apologized for his postgame comments: "I think my emotions got the best of me. My comments wasn't intending to go at any of the fans around in the city, because there's been a lot of great fans that have been supporting me. And I know the frustration. This organization has put a lot of investment in coming to get me back in 2022, and things haven't been going the right direction that we thought it was. A lot of injuries, a lot of time off, and not putting the best football and my foot forward. I understand the frustration. I understand everything that kind of goes into that. And moving forward, I just want to focus on football, making sure that I'm putting the best product out there, having the best ability, because I thrive off the energy. I thrive off the energy of the fans. I thrive off the energy of the community. I thrive off all that stuff." - - The Browns' first two games of the 2026 regular season are on the road - at Jacksonville and then at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - before the team returns home to face the Carolina Panthers in Week 3 - - Watson has been a polarizing figure in Cleveland since the Browns traded three (3) first-round picks to the Houston Texans to acquire him in March 2022 and gave him a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract after more than two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions, however, two Texas grand juries declined to pursue criminal charges against Watson a week prior to his trade to Cleveland, but he served an 11-game suspension to begin his tenure with the Browns - as he also paid a $5 million fine and completed a treatment program after the NFL and NFL Players Association reached a settlement in August 2022 on his disciplinary matter: Since joining the Browns, Watson has failed to recapture the Pro Bowl form he showcased in Houston, posting a 33.1 QBR that would rank last if he had enough starts to qualify -- **NOTE: Watson has a 9-10 record as the Browns' starting QB, and his past two seasons as the starter have ended due to injury: In 2023, Watson underwent season-ending surgery following a displaced fracture to the glenoid muscle in his right throwing shoulder - as the injury forced Watson to miss the final nine (9) games of that season, including the team's AFC wild-card loss to the Texans -- Watson did not play in the 2025 season after undergoing two surgeries to address a torn right Achilles tendon he sustained in October 2024 - - The Browns also have second-year QB Dillon Gabriel and 2026 sixth-round pick Taylen Green (Arkansas) on the roster - as Monken elected to not play his starters in Thursday's preseason finale at home against the New England Patriots. . ."An Axing of the Pro Bowl:" The NFL is eliminating the Pro Bowl Games, instead shifting the focus to celebrating the honor of being a Pro Bowl selection -- **NOTE: Beginning with the 2026 season, 88 players will be named to the Pro Bowl class in late December, with no replacement selections - - While no AFC vs. NFC game will be held, players selected as Pro Bowlers will be invited to attend an in-person celebration in Los Angeles during the traditional weekend the Pro Bowl Games took place -- **NOTE: The NFL has played a traditional Pro Bowl game in some fashion since 1938 - excluding in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic - replacing the traditional tackle football game with the reimagined Pro Bowl Games, featuring dodgeball, throwing competitions and skills challenges & culminating in a flag football game in 2023. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the NFL's decision to eliminate the Pro Bowl Games?. . .

- WNBA & NBA - - "BANNED:" The Chicago Sky have banned Enes Kanter Freedom from Wintrust Arena after the former NBA player was removed from the building by security Sunday - - Kanter Freedom was involved in a verbal altercation with Sky PG Natasha Cloud late in the 3rd QTR of a loss against the Indiana Fever - as he was sitting courtside in a black T-shirt that read: "WOMAN noun. Adult human female." -- When a timeout was called, Cloud walked toward Kanter Freedom and shouted at him - meanwhile, he was standing with his arms outstretched and took a few steps toward the court before security cut him off and directed him to leave - - Kanter Freedom has inserted himself in the political realm in recent years and has been vocal in the national debate sparked by Fever guard Sophie Cunningham's comments regarding transgender athletes -- He and former NBA player Royce White recently declared themselves women, and thus eligible to play in the WNBA - however, multiple sources told ESPN that the two are not eligible to play in the league -- After being removed, Kanter Freedom posted the following statement on social media: "I just got kicked out of a @WNBA game for supporting WOMEN! Let that sink in, AMERICA!". . .Klay Thompson has signed a deal with the Miami Heat, who waited patiently for weeks to see if they would get the chance to add the sharpshooter to their reworked roster -- Thompson - who is No.4 on the NBA's all-time 3-pointers made list - cleared waivers with the Dallas Mavericks Sunday afternoon and wasted little time finalizing a two-year deal with Miami: The contract, first reported by ESPN's Shams Charania last Friday, is reportedly for $13 million and includes a player option in the second season, sources said - - Thompson, a 36-year-old about to enter his 14th NBA season, is an ideal fit for a Heat team that desperately needed to add a solid shooter to surround the newly acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo and incumbent center Bam Adebayo -- **NOTE: Thompson is a career 41% shooter from beyond the arc, and last season marked the 11th time that he's made more than 200 3-pointers in a season - and for further context, in the history of the NBA franchise, they have had a player make 200 3s in a single year only seven (7) times - - **NOTE: Thompson, a five-time NBA All-Star, holds the league record with 14 made 3s in a game, has connected on at least 10 3s in a game nine (9) times and will enter this upcoming NBA season just 74 3-pointers behind former Heat sharpshooter, Ray Allen, for third place on the league's all-time list. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the overall fit of Klay Thompson in Miami alongside the "Greek Freak" & Bam Adebayo?. . .

- Tradition's Finest 2026 College Football Season Preview & Prediction Showcase Finale -- Awards & Preseason College Football Playoff Predictions: In the final week of the annual 'Tradition's Finest 2026 College Football Season Preview & Prediction Showcase,' JD & Spencer each provide their individual/independent predictions for a few of the 2026-27 College Football Awards; they also provide a preview of the 2026-27 College Football Playoff as well as their preseason picks for the 12-team bracket, with a bit of a fun twist: they cannot select the same team(s):

College football's biggest stars enter the 2026 season with a chance to take home some of the sport's most prestigious individual awards - and in this segment, JD & Spencer provide their predictions for the following individual awards for the upcoming 2026-27 NCAA College Football season: **Be Sure to Tune In for their Award/CFP Picks & Predictions! . . .

- Doak Walker Award [Best RB]: ______________________

- Biletnikoff Award [Best WR]: ________________________

- John Mackey Award [Best TE]: _______________________

- Jim Thorpe Award [Best DB]: _________________________

- Bednarik Award [Best Defensive Player]: ______________________

- Home Depot Coach of the Year Award [Best HC]: _____________________________

- Walter Camp Award [Player of the Year Award]: ______________________________

- Heisman Trophy [Most Outstanding Player]: ______________________________

Welcome Back to the Tradition's Finest Podcast!

Episode 147 - "The Tommy G Episode" includes a discussion of the following sports-related topics:

- NCAA: News & Storylines - - NCAA College Football: "A TRO Against the NCAA:" Former LSU EDGE Jack Pyburn is among the 16 players who were granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the NCAA on Thursday, returning for the 2026-27 college football season with a fifth year of eligibility: Pyburn is currently on the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp roster and recently posted two sacks in their most recent preseason game - - The list of players also includes former Ole Miss DL Xzavian Harris, Ole Miss safety Wydett Williams, Ole Miss TE Dae'Quan Wright, James Madison LB Trent Hendrick, Oregon State RB Anthony Hankerson, Notre Dame DL Junior Tuihalamaka, South Carolina safety DQ Smith and SMU RB TJ Harden - - Per the signed order in Louisiana, the 16 college football players will be allowed to enter the NCAA transfer portal - as the NCAA's rule of restitution and the ghost transfer rule are also enjoined: "The NCAA is ordered to open the transfer portal. . .for one week from entry of this order," the TRO states - - Players currently on NFL rosters have expressed an interest in being released from their NFL contracts, according to attorney Ryan Downton, and NFL teams that release them by September 1 would be allowed to join a college football roster under the TRO: **UPDATE: Per On3, former Seahawks RB TJ Harden, who played college ball at SMU and UCLA, announced his plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal on Thursday afternoon. . .Q: What are your thoughts on these 16 former college football players, who are currently active on NFL rosters, being granted a TRO against the NCAA and a fifth year of eligibility? - - SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said allowing athletes who have signed professional contracts back into college sports “fuels disruption” and should not be allowed, according to an affidavit filed in a Louisiana courthouse last week: Sankey asked Judge Ronald Johnson in East Baton Rouge Parish court to uphold NCAA rules that prevent athletes from returning, saying the decision is “essential to the integrity of college sports.” He wrote that allowing pros back into NCAA competition would undermine the “fundamental principles” of college sports and unfairly harm high school students looking to join a college team as well as other teams that have followed the existing rules - - The affidavit was in response to a lawsuit filed by former St. John's men's basketball star LJ Ruis, the 2024-25 Big East Player of the Year - as he has since committed to LSU in hopes of playing one more season of college basketball - - The affidavit puts Sankey on the opposing end of a legal argument supported by a school in his conference. . .Q: Where do you stand on the principle and/or ruling allowing athletes who have signed professional contracts back into college sports?. .

- NBA - - “The Buss Has Left Town:” Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss is contesting her siblings' “united” vote to sell the remaining 17.8% of the Lakers, according to a letter from her lawyer that was obtained by ESPN - - The Buss family in a statement earlier Monday said they had voted to sell their remaining shares to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger at the same $12.5 billion valuation that Mark Walter agreed to last week — They believed they had the right to sell based on a tag-along provision that had been included in the previous sale to Walter in June 2025 — Sources told ESPN that provision gave the family rights to tag along to any sale and valuation Walter secured for his shares - - Jeanie Buss was to remain the team's controlling owner through 2030, according to the agreement she made with Walter - - Iger told the California Post last week that he intended to honor that agreement with Buss, but added “if something changes, then it changes.” — Should the sale of the family's stake go through, Jeanie Buss would no longer have the needed ownership percentage to remain governor of the team's - as a spokesperson for Kushner and Iger declined to comment on the situation when reached by ESPN — In response to the Buss' family statement, Jeanie's lawyer Adam Streisand wrote to the five (5) siblings who voted to sell that a court had ruled in 2017 that no sale could be “effectuated without approval by the co-trustees, Jeanie, Janie and Joey Buss.” — Streisand also wrote that the “co-trustees are bound to vote to ensure that the minimum 15% ownership requirement is maintained in order to ensure that Jeanie Buss may remain Controlling Owner. Any attempt by the co-trustees to aid or abet the co-trustees as such, would constitute a breach of trust, a breach of fiduciary duty and be in contempt of court.” — Streisand demanded that the five (5) siblings “make clear that Jeanie Buss is the Controlling Owner of the Los Angeles Lakers” and “take no action on this supposed vote to sell the 17.8 percent stake.” - - The Buss family had ownership of the Lakers since Jerry Buss purchased the team from Jack Kent Cooke in May 1979 — Under the leadership of Buss and then his children after his death, the Lakers won 11 NBA championships - most recently in 2020 — **NOTE: The Lakers' 2,289 wins since the start of the 1979-80 season are the most of any franchise in that span - - More than a dozen different Hall of Famers played for the Lakers during the Buss' family's ownership, and multiple Hall of Fame coaches patrolled sidelines, first at the Great Western Forum, then at Crypto.com Arena [formerly the Staples Center], which opened in 1999. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the Buss family voting to sell the remaining shares to Kushner & Iger? Do you think Jeanie Buss will be able to “veto” her siblings' final vote to sell the franchise?. . .

- NFL - - The New York Giants have signed free agent RB Najee Harris to a one-year deal, the team announced Tuesday - - Harris worked out for the Giants on Monday - as HC John Harbaugh liked what he saw and heard despite the veteran coming off a torn Achilles last year – Harris knows he's not quite in game shape but said he's “ready to get back” following last year's season-ending injury - - Harris, 28, played in just three (3) games last season for the Los Angeles Chargers and Jim Harbaugh, John's brother - as Harris rushed for just 61 yards on 15 carries prior to the injury – **NOTE: Harris had rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of the previous four (4) seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers - and John Harbaugh, who coached the Baltimore Ravens for the previous 18 seasons, knows him well from their days in AFC North - - The addition of Harris comes after the Giants waived RB Dante Miller with an injury designation - as Miller hurt his groin in the preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings and is expected to miss time - - In a corresponding move, the Giants released veteran WR JuJu Smith-Schuster - - Harris joins a backfield that has Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy Jr. at the top of the depth chart - - The Giants also have veteran Devin Singletary in the mix along with Eric Gray and undrafted rookie Damon Bankston - - Harris was a first-round pick (No. 24) in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Alabama, and he made the Pro Bowl as a rookie. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the overall fit of Najee Harris with the New York Giants?. . .The Texans' WR corps took a big hit Wednesday as wideout Jayden Higgins suffered a torn ACL, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport - - The season-ending injury occurred Tuesday during the Texans' joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders when the 2025 second-round pick ran a route in the end zone and fell awkwardly during red zone 11-on-11 drills — Higgins couldn't get back up immediately, but he eventually limped off on his own power - as HC DeMeco Ryans said after the practice that they were evaluating the severity of the injury — Higgins, who was off to a strong start to training camp, had 525 receiving yards and six (6) TDs during his rookie season - - Houston now will rely on the next batch of WRs led by Xavier Hutchinson, Tank Dell and Jaylin Noel: Hutchinson, a sixth-round pick in 2023, posted career highs last season with 35 receptions for 428 yards and three (3) TD - - Dell and Noel haven't practiced much throughout training camp as both work their way back from injuries: Dell is coming back from a serious knee injury from December 2024 that held him out all of 2025, and Noel, meanwhile, has dealt with a broken finger and hamstring tightness throughout camp. . .Q: Where does this leave the Texans following the loss of WR Jayden Higgins?. . .Former Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl CB Trevon Diggs plans to sign a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday - - The move addresses one of Seattle's biggest question marks and offers Diggs a chance for a fresh start with the reigning Super Bowl champions after a tumultuous ending to his tenure in Dallas last season - - Per multiple reports, the Seahawks still to plan to sign CB Terrion Arnold, but with no word on when he will be available to play amid his ongoing legal case - as Diggs gives them more immediate help at the position – Meanwhile, Noah Igbinoghene and Nehemiah Pritchett are vying to replace Riq Woolen as the No.3 CB and rookie third-pick Julian Neal has been unable to join that battle because he has missed much of training camp with an undisclosed injury - - A second-round pick in 2020, Diggs was named first-team All-Pro and selected to the Pro Bowl in 2021 after setting a Cowboys record with 11 INTs - and he also made the Pro Bowl in 2022, then signed a five-year, $97 million contract extension before the 2023 season: But he has appeared in only 22 games over the past three (3) seasons while dealing with injuries to both knees: Diggs tore his left ACL in practice in 2023 and missed six (6) games in 2024 due to an injury to the same knee that required a chondral graft – Last season, he missed eight (8) games with a right knee injury and suffered a concussion during an accident at home, later saying it occurred while he was attempting to install a television mount - - According to ESPN's Todd Archer, the Cowboys took issue with Diggs' decision to rehab away from the team's facility in consecutive years - as Dallas enforced a $500,000 base salary de-escalator in 2025 after he did not take part in 84% of the team's voluntary offseason program, choosing instead to rehab in South Florida. . .Q: What are your thoughts on the overall fit of CB Trevon Diggs with the Seattle Seahawks?. . .

- MLB - - Cardinals OF Joshua Baez smashed the first pitch he saw in the majors about 450 feet then flashed a grin to the St. Louis dugout as he began his HR trot - - **NOTE: Baez, 23, became the first player to hit a HR in each of his first three (3) at-bats in the majors, leading St. Louis to an 8-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday – Called up from Triple-A Memphis before the game, Baez had 30 family members in attendance at Wrigley Field - as the traveling party, which included his mother, Yris, gathered on the field for photos afterward despite rain: “It's just unreal,” said Baez, the fourth-ranked prospect in the Cardinals' system and No.93 overall, according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel. “To not only get a hit but three home runs? It's crazy.” - and he did it with flair too - - The first came on the first pitch he saw from Matthew Boyd and landed an estimated 449 feet away in the left-center bleachers, which was the third-longest HR in a player's MLB debut since ESPN began tracking HR distances in 2006 – **NOTE: Only Jason Heyward (476 feet) in 2010 and Aaron Judge (457 feet) in 2016 had longer shots – Baez's next at-bat ended with a solo shot down the left-field line, and the third, on his ensuing at-bat, went the opposite way, giving him five (5) RBIs - - Baez showed plenty of power in the minors this season - as when he was called up, he was leading Triple-A with 34 HRs, including four (4) multi-homer games – **NOTE: He is the ninth player to make his major league debut for the Cardinals this season. . .

- Miscellaneous - - “A Penn State White-Out:” A Long Island kid who grew up in a spacious $1.4 million Westbury manse was one of the alleged ringleaders of a lucrative cocaine ring run out of a pair of Penn State University frat houses, authorities said - - Agostino Abbatiello, aka “Pablo Plegescobar,” 24, surrendered to Pennsylvania prosecutors Tuesday morning to face charges of possession with intent to deliver cocaine and conspiracy after being busted for allegedly peddling drugs through the frats – The Nassau County native - who was at the “very top of the chain” in the crime ring, according to prosecutors - had failed to show up for a Monday arraignment and is now being held without bail – Abbatielo allegedly ran the ring along with Thomas Robinson, the son of prominent Pittsburgh attorney Paul Robinson, who was also implicated in the ring and hit with felony charges of concealing evidence – The elder Robinson, a former frat brother who was a member of Delta Sigma Phi and Phi Alpha Delta while in college and law school, is a managing partner with Meyer, Darragh, Buckler, Bebenek & Eck – Both accused ringleaders graduated two years ago, but continued to deal even after leaving the frat house, according to prosecutors: Abbatiello was described as an accounting major on the dean's list with a “passion for numbers and financial storytelling,” according to now-deleted pages on the Penn State site - - Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson - of Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternities, respectively - were allegedly the main suppliers in the scheme, with Abbatiello frequently traveling to Philadelphia and New York to pick up large quantities of cocaine from suppliers between 2023 and 2024 - - When an undercover cop busted Robinson, the alleged dealer told authorities Abbatiello sold him batches of cocaine of up to one kilogram - well over two pounds - for as much as $22,000, a criminal complaint claims: Abbatiello allegedly distributed cocaine as recently as February 2026, according to the complaint - - Two other frat members have been charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and related offenses, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office said: **NOTE: More than a dozen Penn State fraternity bros were busted for running the ring that forced young pledges to cut and bag the drugs then sold to students, according to prosecutors - as the fraternities, Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon, allegedly coordinated with suppliers in New York and Philadelphia, trafficking in the cocaine and distributing it mainly to Penn State students - - When he learned law enforcement was interviewing individuals about Penn State drug dealing, he reportedly “begged them not to talk about his involvement.” - - Abbatiello's dad, Mario Abbatiello, told The New York Post Tuesday: “We have no comment. We have nothing to do with this. We have no comment.” - - A second Long Islander - Robert Zanolla, 24, of Manhasset - is also charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility - - Also charged, with misdemeanors, are: Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price, and Charles Wiseman - - Paul Robinson, Thomas' father, is charged with felony tampering, hindering apprehension for taking steps to conceal evidence in the case, including a safe stuffed with cash and drugs and obstructing the investigation, federal prosecutors said - - Penn State has since suspended Delta Upsilon while it investigates the frat and said Sigma Chi is not recognized by the university and operates outside its supervision: “We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students,” said Andrea Dowhower, Penn State's VP for Student Affairs. “Criminal activity, including hazing, such as this has no place at our institution, and we will cooperate with law enforcement in any way we can. We will continue to enhance our efforts around health and safety and hazing educational efforts for all our organization.”. . .“The Death of A Sports Visionary:” Bill Rasmussen, whose vision and ambition fueled the 1979 launch of ESPN as the world's first 24-hour television network, died Tuesday at the age of 93 — Rasmussen died at his Florida home from the effects of Parkinson's Disease - - With son Scott, Rasmussen conceived of the initial idea of ESPN - first, as solely a Connecticut venture, and then as a 24-hour national sports network - - It was a moment for risk-taking: In the late 1970s, not many people thought an around-the-clock cable sports network had any chance - but Bill Rasmussen, who had just been fired as communications director of the New England Whalers, was one of them - as he maxed out his credit card, and with his $9,000 advance, acquired valuable space on a communications satellite — Rasmussen knocked on doors, talking to all the major sports leagues, the top cable operators and an array of investors: He gained backing, and on Sept. 7, 1979, the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network was born - as Bill & Scott Rasmussen co-founded ESPN with Bill serving as ESPN's first president and CEO - - Though Rasmussen left ESPN after a few years, he laid the groundwork for future growth: A meeting with the NFL did not bring immediate results, but a door was opened to what would eventually become “Monday Night Football” on ESPN — After leaving ESPN, Rasmussen contributed to a number of other media ventures and chronicled his experience in public speaking engagements - as he also wrote a book about his ESPN experience, “Sports Junkies Rejoice: The Birth of ESPN.”. . .“Tackling Fuel:” Tackling on the football field is normally permitted. . .unless the person doing the tackling comes screaming out of the stands and happens to not be wearing pads: A 16-year-old girl from Winchester, Tennessee [about an hour & a half SE of Nashville] is now facing charges after she ran out onto a football field in the middle of a game and tackled one of the players out on the field - - The contest between South Middle School and Cornersville Middle School was taking place at Franklin County High School, and shortly after South scored a TD, two players got into a fight on the field – This prompted a 16-year-old girl at the game to jump the fence and run out onto the gridiron: She targeted one of the middle schoolers that had been in the scuffle moments earlier, and tackled him to the ground - - The teenager managed to hit the football player a second time before coaches and referees were able to jump in and break up the fight - - The 16-year-old was attending the contest with her parents, and she was able to leave the premises with them - - The following morning, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office charged the teen with assault and disorderly conduct - as the Franklin County School systems followed suit, handing down a lifetime trespass ban from all district properties to the girl - - Additionally, the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) said the 16-year-old cannot attend Cornersville Middle School athletic events for one year - - After the incident occurred on the field, the coaches and referees came together and decided to call the game early - as South Middle was up 35 to nothing at the time anyways - so there was no sense in continuing to try and determine a winner - - Fortunately, no one was injured during this wild incident, and the Marshall County school district is working to amp up security at middle school football games for the remainder of the season. . .

- Tradition's Finest 2026 College Football Season Preview & Prediction Showcase: Week #5: The SEC Conference: In this week's 'Tradition's Finest College Football Season Preview & Prediction Showcase,' JD & Spencer break down, analyze & preview the SEC Conference for the upcoming 2026-27 college football season, as well as provide their independent/individual predictions regarding a potential "dark horse" contender for the Conference, and which program they predict to win the Conference. . .**NOTE: In next week's episode, JD and Spencer will provide their predictions for the 2026-27 College Football Playoff, as well as projecting their CFB Awards winners. . .Be Sure to Tune In!. . .